Mary Jo's Hamburger And Barley Soup

Directions

1. Brown grnd beef, or possibly turkey, with onion in large soup pot. Drain excess fat. Add in remaining ingredients and stir well. Reduce heat and simmer till vegetables and barley are tender, about 45 min.
2. Serve with cornbread or possibly your favorite muffin. If you have leftovers heat over medium high heat till soup is very thick, like a casserole mix. Pour soup into a appropriate size greased casserole dish. Place dollops of biscuit dough on top and bake at 375 degrees till topping is cooked through.
3. Substitute your favorite vegetables, including leftovers, for the carrots and lima beans. Root vegetables and large frzn vegetables should be added at the beginning. Pre-cooked vegetables and small frzn vegetables such as peas and corn should be added during last 15 min of cooking, to avoid soggy vegetables.
4. NOTES : Beef barley is often a popular soup from delicatessens to fine restaurants. Enjoy an entire soup pot of this version for less than the price of one bowl at a restaurant.
5. Here's another. I've a turkey sausage link which was bland (from butterball company) which I could use in this soup. Limas!-) Probably needs more herb. . .